Did you know?
The Gold Coast has an average 300 days of sunshine a year – which makes it a perfect year-round holiday destination. 

When it comes to Mum, Dad and the kids, the Gold Coast is undisputedly Australia’s leading holiday playground. Sheridan Rhodes tells us why.

Think thrilling theme parks, wildlife sanctuaries, incredible shopping, family restaurants galore plus your choice of perfect accommodation – everything from serviced apartments and caravan parks to Australia’s only six-star hotel and child-friendly resorts.  

If it’s action you crave, the Gold Coast is the undisputed theme park capital of the southern hemisphere with some of the biggest, brightest and fastest attractions in the world. Australia’s premier water park, Wet ‘n’ Wild, offers some of the largest, longest and most exciting rides, while at Sea World you get to see Australia’s only polar bears and the world’s largest man-made lagoon system for sharks.

Warner Bros. MovieWorld is all about action with the all-new Shrek 4D Adventure, a unique special effects movie experience. For the littlies, Looney Tunes Village has pre-schooler friendly rides while older kids can enjoy Lethal Weapon, Batman – The Ride 2, the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster and the Police Academy stunt show.

Meanwhile, at Dreamworld you will find some of Australia’s longest, fastest and most thrilling rides, the tallest free-fall ride in the world and amazing Bengal tigers. Dreamworld is also home to ‘Wiggles World’ – a great place for youngsters to meet their favourite Wiggles friends.

A good way for families to save money while visiting the Gold Coast is to buy a ‘3 Park Super Pass’ offering unlimited entry to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild Water World for up to 14 days – and it’s even cheaper if you buy it from NRMA before you travel.

The Hinterland, half an hour’s drive from the coast, remains one of the Gold Coast’s best kept secrets. Known as the ‘Green behind the Gold’, it offers an amazing 29 national parks and nature reserves, Australia’s largest area of subtropical rainforest, the world’s biggest volcanic caldera (of which Mt Warning is the core) and 300km of walking trails – not to mention wonderful wineries, cute B&Bs, quaint art and craft galleries, tea rooms and genuine country pubs.

Back on the coast, the beaches are the star attraction. Walk or bike ride along miles of beachside trails, build a sandcastle or beach fish at dusk. There are 21 patrolled beaches in the area with the most popular family beaches being Surfers Paradise and the less crowded and sheltered southern beaches of Currumbin, Kirra Beach, Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta.

For more information visit NRMA Travel or call NRMA Travel and Touring on 13 11 22.